Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the Minister for arriving late and briefly delaying him. The issue I raise is the proposed closure of the Reserve Defence Force facility in Clonmel. As the Minister will be aware, Kickham Barracks closed on 29 March last, thus ending 350 years of a military presence in Clonmel. The Third Cavalry Battalion of the Reserve Defence Force was attached to the barracks and following its closure, negotiations with the Minister resulted in a Reserve Defence Force headquarters being located in Clonmel. As a result, 55 active members continued their weekly meetings and training at the location.

As a result of the Minister's recent announcement in that the Reserve Defence Force will be consolidated nationwide, the Third Cavalry Battalion will cease to function in Clonmel and move to Cork. This decision has come as a great shock to the 55 members of the battalion who serve in the town. This group, which include individuals from Carrick-on-Suir, where I live, Cahir, Fethard and surrounding areas, will have to travel to Cork for training every week if they wish to continue to serve their country. Making this journey of approximately 70 miles in each direction will require the provision of at least two minibuses. While I am aware of the cost of renting, operating and maintaining the building currently in use in Clonmel, the decision to close the facility and incur weekly transport costs to Cork does not make financial sense. Moreover, the loss to Clonmel of this military unit, of which I was a member for many years, will also result in the loss of a military tradition as Reserve Defence Force will no longer be recruited in south County Tipperary.

Following his recent announcement, the Minister indicated the closed Kickham Barracks will be developed to provide a new Garda barracks and other services. At this late stage, I appeal to him to give a commitment to serving members of the Reserve Defence Force in Clonmel that he will reserve a section of the new facility at the barracks to allow them to return to Clonmel. Such a decision would save money in the long term and allow a 350 year old tradition in the town to continue. It would also facilitate continued recruitment in the local area of young men and women who wish to serve in the Reserve Defence Force. I ask the Minister to consider my proposal and look forward to his response.